The Oklahoma House voted 66-32 in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would make English the official language of the state.

Indian lawmakers criticized the measure. Although it exempts tribal governments, they compared it to government policies that forbade the use of their languages.

"There’s no reason to take a slap at the American Indians,” Rep. Jerry McPeak (D), a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, told The Oklahoman.

Rep. Shane Jett (R), a member of the Cherokee Nation, spoke in Tsalagi during debate on the measure. He called the proposed amendment an insult to tribal members.

"It’s unnecessary, it’s cumbersome, it sends the wrong message," said Jett, according to the Oklahoman.

Rep. Lisa Billy (R), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, said the proposal could prevent her from writing notes to constituents in Chickasaw or Spanish. "As an official of this body, I don’t want to be restrained in what I write and what I speak," Billy told the paper.

The bill goes to the state Senate for consideration.

Get the Story:
Oklahoma House backs vote English as state’s official language (The Oklahoman 3/12)
Language bill heads to Senate (The Tulsa World 3/12)